Exchange diffs and diff parts for Southland
Southland is the bottom of the map and the top of the farming table. Sheep, beef and dairy from the Catlins to Fiordland, a lot of it on gravel, a lot of it wet, and all of it worked by utes and 4WDs that tow something heavy most days. Invercargill is the service centre and Gore the hub of the eastern farming districts, and between them they keep a fleet of Hilux, Land Cruiser, Ranger, Colorado, D-Max and Safari vehicles going.
It is the furthest South Island region from our Christchurch workshop, but the courier does not treat it that way: a rebuilt exchange diff dispatched from Sydenham typically reaches Invercargill or Gore in one to two working days, freight paid. Rural addresses, which is most of Southland, should allow an extra day each way.
We keep front and rear exchange units for the Toyota and Nissan 4WDs that run the back country and the Stewart Island ferry car parks, and rear units in open and LSD form for the farm utes. The core charge in the price comes back once the old gears are checked.
How it works from Southland
Four steps. Freight is on us in both directions.1 to 2 working days, typically
Dispatched from Christchurch on the overnight network. Alpine passes and the far south can add the second day.
Indicative only. Transit depends on the courier network and the time of day the order is placed. Tracking is emailed when the unit leaves the workshop.
- Rural delivery addresses: allow an extra working day each way.
- Oversize or heavy items such as complete beam axles travel with Move Logistics and are quoted by phone before anything is charged.
- Freight on exchange diffs is free in both directions. The return label for your old unit is in the box.
Vehicles we see a lot from Southland
Farm utes and the 4WDs that work the gravel from the Catlins to Fiordland. The Southland shortlist, front and rear.
In stock · 5 units Toyota Hilux Rebuilt Exchange Diff Toyota From $1,795 incl GST and $250 refundable core charge Choose options 
In stock · 5 units Toyota Hilux N70 Rebuilt Front Exchange diff Toyota $2,495 incl GST and $250 refundable core charge Choose options 
In stock · 3 units Toyota Land Cruiser 80 Series LSD 4.1 Ratio Rebuilt Exchange Diff Toyota $2,395 incl GST and $250 refundable core charge Add to cart 
Low stock · 1 left Toyota Land Cruiser 70 & 100 Series LSD 4.1 Exchange Diff Toyota $2,395 incl GST and $250 refundable core charge Add to cart 
Low stock · 2 left Nissan Safari / Patrol H233B 4.11 Rebuilt Front Exchange Diff Nissan $1,995 incl GST and $250 refundable core charge Add to cart 
In stock · 5 units Holden Colorado RG Rebuilt Exchange Diff Holden $2,095 incl GST and $250 refundable core charge Choose options 
In stock · 3 units Ford Ranger PK / PJ Rebuilt Exchange Rear Diff Ford $2,765 incl GST and $250 refundable core charge Add to cart 
In stock · 5 units Isuzu Dmax Rebuilt Exchange diff Isuzu From $2,495 incl GST and $250 refundable core charge Choose options Not seeing your vehicle? Around 120 units are on the shelf and not all are online yet. Send your rego and the team will check.
Fitting it near you
Invercargill has a full range of workshops, and Gore, Winton, Te Anau, Riverton and the smaller farming towns each have a mechanic who looks after the local fleet. Fitting an exchange diff head is a standard job for any of them. The unit arrives with fitting notes and the oil spec, and the team will talk a workshop through anything model specific before the swap.
For a farm ute, order the exchange unit as soon as the fault is confirmed and keep the vehicle on light duties until it arrives. The swap is then a few hours in one visit, and the old diff goes straight back in the box.
Guides worth reading before you order
All articles
Troubleshooting Common Toyota Hilux Differential Problems Learn the most common Toyota Hilux diff problems, including bearing failure, oil leaks, worn LSDs, and crownwheel and pinion damage. 
Case Studies Isuzu D-Max diff failure Isuzu D-Max diff failure is common in the open carrier gears, causing clunking, and total loss of drive. Learn the signs, and fixes. 
Troubleshooting Lifetime Diff Oil, Is It Really Lifetime? Manufacturers call it lifetime oil, but is it really? Learn the facts about differential oil and why changing it may save you thousands. Ordering from Southland: common questions
Do I need to send my old diff first?
No. The exchange unit ships first so your vehicle is only off the road for the swap itself. The price you pay up front includes a core charge for the crownwheel and pinion, and that is what covers the workshop while your old unit is on its way back. Once the old diff is boxed and collected, the core charge is refunded if the gears are reusable.
Is the core charge different for out of town orders?
No. One price covers the diff and the core wherever you are. The core part is refundable and comes back to you when your old unit arrives in Christchurch and the gears check out. The only thing to watch is that the old diff actually goes back, because the refund cannot be processed until it does.
Can I do the swap myself?
You can, and plenty of customers do. The unit comes with fitting notes, the ratio is tagged on the housing, and the team is a phone call away if something does not look right. The warranty stays valid when the diff is fitted correctly and run on the specified Redline oil. If the job means pulling a beam axle, pressing bearings or setting up a front diff on a 4WD, a workshop is usually money well spent.
What if it turns out to be the wrong one?
Send your rego when you order and the team checks the fitment before anything leaves Christchurch, so this is rare. If a unit arrives and does not match, call before fitting anything. The right one will be sorted and the freight on the wrong one arranged. The key thing is not to fit or fill a unit you are not sure about.